EasyMOD is an automatic MOD installer. It does in seconds what used to be the laborious and time consuming task of manually editing files. EM will install EasyMOD Compliant (EMC) MODs and also *try* to install all other MODs as well. For most users, MOD installs should be completely automated. There are break points so you can check what EM proposes to do before it makes any permanant changes.
Author's Notes:
EM is not yet feature complete. Most noteably it is missing SQL processing and an uninstaller. Since EM is not feature complete it is considered alpha software. EM has over 7500 lines of PHP code and this does not even include the 1000+ lines already written to handle SQL processing or the 8 template files. However, this is the 8th public release and by now the features EM does have are release quality. So feel free to install but remember it is not yet as good as its going to get
Now that EM has reached a certain level of maturity, a refining process will take place. I will document how best to write MODs for EM (EasyMOD Compliant). A key to success will be getting MOD Authors to write their MODs so they don't clash with other MOD installations. My goal is to present a clear, reasonable, and unintrusive as possible method.
Lastly, thank you Daz for providing the EM graphics, thanks to the translators listed below, and special thanks to my 1337 Pre-Release Tester Team: Ptirhiik - RPGnet-fr, wGEric, morpheus2matrix, GPHemsley, LifeIsPain, and DanielT
Installation:
Download EM:
(from the attachment at the bottom of this page)
New installs:
1) Extract in your admin directory. The proper directory heirachy should be admin/mods/easymod (note that "easymod" is now lowercase)
2) From a web browser, open http: //{YOUR BOARD ADDRESS}/admin/mods/easymod/easymod_install.php The install will guide you through everything and no modifications occur before warning you.
3) If you are using FTP access make sure you, as the owner, has write permission on ALL your phpBB files (744)
4) Once installed, you may wish to install the Country Flags MOD which is the only "official" EMC MOD.
Upgrading:
It is advised that you remove any previous admin/mods/EasyMOD directories. Once they are out of the way, just follow the install instructions above. EM will figure everything else out
Features:
- Choose from some fully automated installation methods and some manual methods as well. You decide what's best for you!
- the modifed files generated can be:
- written directly to server (requires write access in the "mods" dir)
- written to a buffer and FTP'd into place (requires FTP access)
- downloaded to your local machine
- written on screen in a seperate browser window (requires you to be sadistic )
- If you are satisifed with the modifications, the files can then be moved into place
- by the copy command (fully automated: requires write access to ALL dirs from phpBB root downward)
- FTP'd into place (fully automated: requires FTP access)
- execute a script (fully automated: requires permission to run scripts)
- manually loaded (requires your time )
- robust installer (needs some work though )
- the program is ready to accept translations for multiple languages
- support for ALL MOD Template functions (COPY command needs some work)
- install MODs to all installed themes
- install MODs to all installed languages
- automatically backups up files before modifying (you should still make your own backups though!)
- continued processing if non-English or non-subSilver file fails - you decide if you want to continue or not
- password protected - even admins cannot access EM unless the board owner gives them the password
- object oriented programming - classes could be used in other programs
- install EMC MODs
- *try* to install non-EMC MODs
- settings ACP
- installed MODs history ACP
- view MOD script from the install screen (click link)
- security-conscious every step of the way
- MOD script line numbers appear where ever they will be helpful
- convinient install debugger
- I'm sure there are more but I don't feel like thinking about it anymore
EM is going international
Translations of lang_easymod.php are needed!!! Several translations have already been completed although EM will not really utilize them until version 0.0.11. Below are the languages submitted and their current status:- Language - Author - EM version
- Danish - AlleyKat - 0.0.9c
- French - Jaeboy - 0.0.9
- German - Balint - 0.0.9c
- Norwegian - Espenhh - 0.0.9c
- Portuguese - JuniorZ - 0.0.9 (file not available)
- Swedish - Kail - 0.0.8
The language change log can be found here
Change Log:
The complete change log can be found here
-Nuttzy
